Beer keg

ABSTRACT

A beer keg having the top, bottom and side walls made of plastic, and tapper and filler plug mounting members made of plastic or metal which in one embodiment are cast in position as the top and side walls are formed. In the second embodiment the filler plug is retained in the central part of the keg as the keg is molded and thereafter mounted in a filler opening formed in the barrel.

United States Patent 1191 Reynolds 1111 3,827,595 451 Aug. 6, 1974 BEERKEG [75] lnventor: Richard W. Reynolds, Burnsvillc,

Minn.

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.58,34l, July 27,

I970. abandoned.

2,983,403 5/l96l Mauser 220/63 3,l40,796 7/1964 Broidu i 220/723,279,640 l/l966 Dodson 220/ R 3,468,450 9/1969 Wehel 220/DIG. 1

Primary Examiner-William l. Price Aszs'istun! Eraminer-Stcvcn M. PollardAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Duggcr, Johnson & Westman [57] ABSTRACT A bccrkeg having the top, bottom and side walls 152 U.S. c1. 220/1 R, 220/010.1, 220/39 R made f plastic, and tappcr and filler plug mounting [51]Int. Cl 365d 1/20 members made f plastic or metal which in one [58] newof Search 220/1 31 bodiment are cast in position as the top and sidewalls 1 220/72 5 R1 27, 1 are formed. In the second embodiment thefiller plug is retained in the central part of the keg as the keg is[56] References Cited molded and thereafter mounted in a filler openingUNITED STATES PATENTS formed in the barrel. 1,986,447 l/l935 Rishel285/39 2,624,486 1/1953 Lee 220/5 R 6 Drawmg guns i I 57 l 1 1 52a Ils/f 5/4 5/2 5/8 5/ ()1 i I i k Q 63 2.2 a E I 66 BEER KEG RELATEDAPPLICATIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A keg for beer. In the priorart it is old to make metal kegs, for example of aluminum for storingbeer, and provide an opening in the side wall of the keg and in the topwall of the keg in which a filler plug mounting member and a tapper plugmounting member are respectively subsequently mounted. However metalkegs are relatively heavy and relatively expensive to make. In U.S. Pat.No. 2,983,403 to Mauser there is disclosed a barrel for beer thatincludes a thin wall inner shell of metal or synthetic material that atthe ends is provided with reinforcing rings, the shell and rings beingcovered by a layer 23 of synthetic material. However, such is not anintegrally formed unit and not as economical to produce as desired. Inorder to overcome objections of the above mentioned nature, as well asothers, the present invention has been made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A beer keg having plastic top, bottom and sidewalls that are of integral unitary construction, and a tapper mountingmember cast in position in the top wall and a filler plug mounted in theside wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the firstembodiment of the beer keg of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the beer kegof FIG. 1 showing the joining of the top and bottom walls to the sidewall;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view generally takenalong the line and in the direction of the arrows 33 of FIG. 1 to showthe mounting of filler plug mounting member;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view generally taken along theline and in the direction of the arrows 4-4 of FIG. 1 to show themounting of the tapper plug mounting member;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view generally taken along theline and in the direction of the arrows 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second embodiment ofthe beer keg of this invention, said view being generally taken alongthe line and in the direction of the arrows 6-6 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 7 is a top view generally taken along the line and in the directionof the arrows 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view generally taken along the line and in thedirection of the arrows 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the tapper plug mounting member, said viewbeing generally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows99 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the mounting member of FIG. 9, said view beinggenerally taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows l010of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of the filler plug mounting member, saidview being generally taken along the line and in the direction of thearrows lll1 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view generally taken along the line and in thedirection of the arrows l2l2 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view of the retainer ring that is generally taken along theline and in the direction of the arrows 13l3 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the filler plugmounting member mounted in the central portion of the keg as the keg isbeing formed.

FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross sectional view generally taken along thelines and in the direction of the arrows l6l6 of FIG. 10 of the tapperplug mounting member and the surrounding part of the top wall toillustrate tapper plug member radial flange portions extending intocircumferentially spaced grooves.

Referring to FIGS. l-5, there is shown the first embodiment of the beerkeg, generally designated 10, of this invention. The keg 10 includes anannular side wall 11, a bottom wall 12 and a top wall 14. The top andbottom walls are fixedlyjoined to the opposite ends of the side wallwhereby there is provided a keg chamber 13.

In a central portion of the side wall there is provided an annularmounting member 16. Member 16 has a generally axially extending annularflange portion 16a that opens through the outer peripheral surface ofthe side wall and a radially extending, annular flange portion 16bhaving an outside diameter substantially greater than the outsidediameter of flange portion 16a. The plastic material of the side wallsurrounds the radially outwardly, axially extending surfaces of themounting member in sealing engagement therewith. Further the side wallincludes an annular portion 11a integrally formed with the adjacentportions of the side wall that covers a substantial part of the axiallyinner, radially extending surface of the mounting member. Thus flangeportion 16b, other than for its juncture to flange portion 16a, isembedded in plastic material on all sides thereof. The filler member 16has a central aperture opening into the keg for filling the keg.

Mounted by the central portion of the top wall 14 is the tapper plugmounting member 20. Tapper member 20 has an axially extending, annularflange portion 20a and a radially enlarged flange portion 20b integrallyjoined to the axially inner end of flange portion 20a.

Thus the outer diameter of flange portion 20b is substantially largerthan the outer diameter of flange portion 20a. The plastic materialsurrounds and is in sealing engagement with the exposed outer peripheralsurfaces of flange portions 20a, 20b and at least a substantial annularportion of the axial inner surface of flange portion 2012. As may benoted, plastic material 14b extends over the last mentioned surface.Thus the top wall has a first bore portion 14c forming a matching fitwith flange portion 20a, and opens through the top wall exteriorsurface, a second bore portion 14d that opens through the top wallinterior surface, and a third bore portion Me of a substantially largerdiameter than the first and second bore portions and axiallyintermediate the first and second bore portions, the axially innerterminal edge surface 20d being in sealing relationship to the shoulder14f formed by the juncture of the second and third bore portions. Otherthan for the inner peripheral surface, the surfaces of flange 20b arecovered by plastic material; i.e., flange 20b embedded in plastic.

Member has a central aperture opening into the interior of the keg. Apumping attaching portion 20c is joined to flange 20a to extend axiallyoutwardly thereof, portion 20c having internal grooves (not shown) tohave a tapper plug (not shown) removably secured in portion 200.

Referring to FIGS. 6-14, the second embodiment of the beer keg,generally designated 50, includes a top wall 51', a bottom wall 52 and aside wall 53 that is integrally joined to the adjacent edges of walls 51and 52 respectively to form a keg chamber 54. A top annular flange 57has its lower edge integrally joined to the top and side walls at thejuncture thereof, the outer edge of flange 57 being at a substantiallyhigher elevation then the maximum elevation of the top wall. Likewise, abottom annular flange 58 has its top edge integrally joined to thebottom and side walls at the juncture thereof, the lower edge of thebottomflange extending to a lower elevation than the lowermost'part ofthe bottom wall.

Generally radially extending reinforcing flanges 59 are integrallyjoined to the top wall to extend thereabove and to flange 57 to extendradially inwardly thereof at a maximum elevation lower than the top edgeof flange 57. Also radially extending reinforcing flanges 60 areintegrally joined to the bottom wall to extend therebelow and to flange58 to extend radially inwardly thereof at a minimum elevation above thebottom edge of flange 58.

Vertically spaced, exterior annular ribs 63, 64 respectively areintegrally joined to the side wall, the ribs being of the same size.Other than for flanges 58, 60, the exterior surface of the bottom wall,and the adjacent part of the side wall that is below flange 64 has aradius of curvature S emanating from point 65, i.e., the portionarcuately from line B to line B, is in the shape of a portion of asphere. Likewise,v other than for flanges 57, 59 and the filler plugrecess, the exterior surface of the top wall and the adjacent part ofthe side wall that is above flange 63 has a radius of curvature Remanating from point 66. Vertically between and slightly closer to point66 than point 65, there is a point 67, the horizontal dimension X frompoint 67 to the exterior surface of the sidewall being slightly greaterthan the dimensions of radii R, 8,; while the dimension W to theexterior surface adjacent the junctures of ribs 63, 64 respectively withthe side wall (between the ribs) is slightly greater than the dimensionX. Further the vertical distance from the top of rib 63 to point 66 isabout one-third of the distance from the top of the rib to the bottom ofthe rib 64 while the corresponding distance of point 65 is abouttwo-thirds of said distance between the ribs.

In the vertical central portion of the side wall (between ribs 63, 64),there is provided an annular plug mounting member, generally designated70; that ineludes an annular flange 71 that is of a substantially largerouter diameter than the externally threaded reduced diameter annularflange 72 and integrally joined thereto. The flange 72 extends throughan aperture in the side wall portion while flange 71 has a generallyflat annular surface 73 to abut against a flat annular surface of theinterior surface portion of the side wall surrounding flange 72. Aplurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending teeth 74 areintegrally joined to flange 71 to bite into the side wall to prevent themember 70 turning relative the side wall. Member 70 has a frusto-conicalplug receiving aperture 77 that is of progressively smallercross-sectional areas in a direction toward the interior of the keg.Further, flange 71 has a tapered surface 76 extending between surface 73and the axially opposite surface which forms a close fit with acorresponding surface of the side wall. A retainer unit 78 is providedto be threaded on' flange 72 and abut against the exterior surface ofthe side wall to retain member in position on the keg, member 78 havingspaced wrench cutouts 78a.

Mounted by the top central portion of the top wall 51 is the tapper plugmounting member, generally designated 80 (see FIGS. 9 and 10), that isof the same construction as mounting member 20 except that the radiallyenlarged flanged portion is provided with circumferentially spacedcutouts 81a that the plastic material of the keg extends into, toprevent rotation of member 80 relative to the keg. That is plug mountingmember 80 has an axially extending, annular flange portion 81b, aradially enlarged flange portion integrally formed to the axially innerend of flange portion 20a and having cutouts 81a to provide radiallyoutwardly extending flange portions 810, a flange portion 81d joined toflange portion 81b to extend axially outwardly thereof, and a flangeportion 81e joined to flange portion 81d remote from flange portion 81b.Flange portions 81c extend radially outwardly beyond the outerperipheral wall of flange portion 81b while flange portion 81d is of asmaller diameter than flange portion 81b. Flange portions 81d, 81e arelocated in recess 51a and spaced from the wall portion defining saidrecess. The top wall has a cylindrical recess 51a of a substantiallylarger diameter than the outer diameter of the annular flange portion81b. The top wall has an inwardly protruding portion 51b that mountsmember 80 with the top surface thereof recessed with reference to thecontinuation of exterior surface of the side wall in which recess 51a isformed. The same portions of member 80 are surrounded by plasticmaterial of parts of portion 51a as the portions of member 20 that aresurrounded by plastic. Thus wall portion 510 has a first bore portionforming a recess 51a opening through the top wall exterior surface, asecond bore portion 51c forming a matching fit with flange portion 81band of a smaller diameter than the recess, a third bore portion 51d thatopens through the top wall interior surface, and a fourth bore portionextending between bore portions 51c, 51d and that has radiallyextending, circumferentially spaced grooves 512 to receive flangeportions 81 c. The plug mounting member 80 has an axially inner,terminal edge 81 f in sealing relationship to the shoulder formed by thepuncture of bore portion 51d with the bore portion that has grooves 51e.

Preferrably a rotocasting process is utilized in making the kegs of thisinvention. In order to mount the filler plug member 70 in place with thesurface 73 abutting a corresponding interior annular surface of the sidewall and without the opposite annular surface of flange 71 covered withplastic, the mold 89 used includes a tapered plug 90 having an innerflat surface of a larger area than the outer surface (see FIG. 15).Suitable attaching members 92 are provided for removably attaching theplug to the remainder of the mold whereby selectively the plug 90 isretained in a fixed position on the mold, and the mold may be removedfrom the keg while the plug 90 is not removed therefrom. An elongatedrod 93 is mounted by plug 90 to extend radially inwardly to the centralpart of the mold, the inner end of the rod mounting a block 94 having afrusto-conical surface to form a close fit with the member 70 wall thatdefines the plug aperture 77. Latch members 96 are mounted by block 94for releasably retaining member 70 on block 94 but which can be turnedby turning bolts 97 to permit withdrawing the block 94 from member 70.

With powdered or granular uncured plastic material in the mold andmounting member 70 mounted in the central part of the mold by the abovestructure, the mold is simultaneously rotated about two axes and heated.During the rotation the plastic material adheres to the mold but not toblock 94 or member 70 since they are too cool for the powder to adhereto. After the rotocasting step, the mold (other than for Plug 91) isremoved from the keg, then rod 93 pulled radially outwardly anappropriate distance and thence an aperture cut in the keg side wallthat is only slightly larger than flange 72. Next rod 93 is furtherradially moved to pull member 72 to extend outwardly of the keg, bolts97 turned to release latches 96 and block 94 removed from member 70. Nowthe retainer nut 78 is threaded on flange-72 to draw radial teeth 74into the keg side wall sufficiently that surface 73 forms a sealing fitwith the side wall. The shape of the mold is such that during thecasting step, the side wall adjacent plug 91 provides an inner kegsurface that subsequently forms a tight fit with the filler plugmounting surface 76 including a recess into which flange 71 fits.

As an example of the invention and not otherwise as a limitationthereof, dimensions R and S may be 7 1 1/32 inches; dimension W 7 19/32inches; dimension X 7 15/32 inches; the spacing of point 66 from point65 1- /8 inches; the spacing of point 67 from point 65 1 11/16 inches;and the maximum outer diameters of each of flanges 57, 58 5 1 1/32inches.

The filler and tapper plug mounting members of each embodimentadvantageously may be made of metal, for example stainless steel oraluminum, or the same type of plastic that the walls of the keg are madeof. In making the keg, the filler plug mounting members of the secondembodiment and the tapper plugs of both embodiments are mounted inposition in the mold and then the walls of the keg are formed wherebysaid mounting members are at least partially embedded as abovedescribed. Preferrably a rotocasting process is utilized in making thekeg, and that the type of plastic used is a highimpact linearpolyethylene. I

By using preformed plug mounting members and at least partiallyembedding them during the wall forming process as referred to above,such that plastic material extends over both inner and outer surfaceportions (relative the keg), a good fluid seal is formed and themounting members are firmly held in place. Further there is provided adurable, relatively light weight keg that can be used in the same manneras prior art kegs, but that is relatively inexpensive to produce.Additionally by making a keg of the shape of the second embodiment, itcan be used for storing beer under higher pressure than the keg of thefirst embodiment that has the same wall thickness.

In both embodiments, the filler plug aperture may be modified forreceivably retaining a twist-lock type of plug (not shown).

What is claimed is:

l. A container for beer comprising a keg having integrally joined top,bottom and side walls defining a keg chamber, said walls being made ofunitary formed plastic, said side wall having a portion defining a plugmounting member opening and said top wall having a portion extendingtoward the bottom defining a tapper plug mounting member opening, afiller plug mounting member mounted in the side wall opening by saidside wall portion, and a tapper plug mounting member mounted in said topwall opening in adhered relationship to the top wall portion, the topwall opening including a recess opening outwardly, circumferentiallyspaced grooves radially inwardly of said recess and a reduced diameterbore portion opening to said grooves and recess defined by said top wallportion, and the tapper plug mounting member including a radiallyenlarged diameter flange portion having circumferentially spaced cutoutsproviding radial flange portions extending into said grooves, an annularflange portion joined to said enlarged diametric flange portion and insealing fitting relationship to the wall portion defining said reduceddiameter portion, said enlarged diametric flange portion being joined tothe annular flange portion, and a top flange portion integrally joinedto the annular flange portion to extend thereabove, substantially spacedfrom the wall defining said recess and extending to a maximum elevationlower than the maximum elevation of the top wall.

2. A container for beer comprising a keg having integrally joined top,bottom and side walls defining a keg chamber, said walls being made ofunitary formed plastic, said side wall having a portion defining a plugmounting member opening and said top wall having a portion defining atapper plug mounting member opening, a filler plug mounting membermounted in the side wall opening by said side wall portion, and a tapperplug mounting member mounted in said top wall opening by said top wallportion in adhered relationship to the top wall portion, the top walland adjacent part of the side wall having a first radius of curvatureand the bottom wall and adjacent part of the side wall being curvedabout a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvatureemanating from a point spaced from and vertically above the point fromwhich the second radius of curvature emanates, the spacing of saidpoints being less than the length of each of the first radius and thesecond radius.

3. The container of claim 2 further characterized in that said side wallhas a portion between said adjacent parts of the side wall that has anexterior surface, the

horizontal dimension from a point vertically between the points of thefirst and second radii of curvature and the exterior surface beingslightly greater than the dimension of each of the first and secondradii of curvature and the dimension from said point between said pointsto the exterior surface adjacent the juncture of the portion between theadjacent parts with the side wall part adjacentthe bottom being slightlygreater than the horizontal dimension.

4. A container for beer comprising a keg having integrally joined top,bottom and side walls defining a keg chamber, said walls being made ofunitary formed plastic, said side wall having a portion defining a plugmounting member opening and said top wall having a portion defining atapper plug mounting member opening, a filler plug mounting membermounted in the side wall opening by said side wall portion, and a tapperplug mounting member mounted in said top wall opening in adheredrelationship to the top wall portion, the top wall including a portionwhich defines the top opening having a first bore portion of a givendiameter that opens through the keg outer surface, a second bore portionof a substantially smaller diameter than said given diameter that opensto the first bore portion remote from the keg outer surface, a thirdbore portion opening to the second bore portion remote from the firstbore portion and having radial extending recesses of a greater radiusthan the radius of the second bore portion, and a fourth bore portionopening to the third bore portion and to the interior of the third boreand to the interior of the keg that is of a smaller diameter than thethird bore portion, and the tapper plug mounting member including afirst flange portion of a substantially smaller diameter than the firstbore portion, an annular second flange portion integrally joined'to thefirst flange portion, and an annular third flange portion joined to theinner end of the second flange portion to extend away therefrom in adirection away from the first flange portion that is of a largerdiameter than the second flange portion and is provided with circum:ferentially spaced cutouts, said third flange portion extending into thethird bore portion recesses.

5. The container of claim 4 further characterized in that the thirdflange portion has an inner, annular radial surface remote from thesecond flange portion and that the top wall portion has an annularportion abuttingagainst said inner, annular radial surface. 1

6. A container for beer comprising a keg having integrally joined top,bottom and side walls defining a keg chamber, said walls being made ofunitary formed'plastic, one of said walls having a portion defining aplug mounting member opening and a plug mounting member mounted in saidwall opening in adhered relationship to said wall portion, the portionwhich defines the opening having a first bore portion of a givendiameter that opens through the keg outer surface, a second bore portionof a substantially smaller diameter than said given diameter that opensto the first bore portion re mote from the keg outer surface, a thirdbore portion opening to the second bore portion remote from the firstbore portion and having radial extending recesses of a greater radiusthan the radius of the second bore portion, and a fourth bore portionopening to the third bore portion and to the interior of the third boreand to the interior of the key that is of a smaller diameter than thethird bore portion, and the plug mounting member including a firstflange-portion, an annular second flange portion integrally joined tothe first flange portion, and in sealing fitting relationship to thesecond bore portion, and an annular third flange portion joined to theinner end of the second flange portion to extend away therefrom in adirection away from the first flange portion that is of a largerdiameter than the second flange portion and is provided withcircumferentially spaced cutouts, said third flange portion extendinginto the third bore portion recesses and having an inner, annular radialsurface remote from the second flange portion, and said wall portionhaving a portion abutting against said inner, annular radial surface.

1. A container for beer comprising a keg having integrally joined top,bottom and side walls defining a keg chamber, said walls being made ofunitary formed plastic, said side wall having a portion defining a plugmounting member opening and said top wall having a portion extendingtoward the bottom defining a tapper plug mounting member opening, afiller plug mounting member mounted in the side wall opening by saidside wall portion, and a tapper plug mounting member mounted in said topwall opening in adhered relationship to the top wall portion, the topwall opening including a recess opening outwardly, circumferentiallyspaced grooves radially inwardly of said recess and a reduced diameterbore portion opening to said grooves and recess defined by said top wallportion, and the tapper plug mounting member including a radiallyenlarged diameter flange portion having circumferentially spaced cutoutsproviding radial flange portions extending into said grooves, an annularflange portion joined to said enlarged diametric flange portion and insealing fitting relationship to the wall portion defining said reduceddiameter portion, said enlarged diametric flange portion being joined tothe annular flange portion, and a top flange portion integrally joinedto the annular flange portion to extend thereabove, substantially spacedfrom the wall defining said recess and extending to a maximum elevationlower than the maximum elevation of the top wall.
 2. A container forbeer comprising a keg having integrally joined top, bottom and sidewalls defining a keg chamber, said walls being made of unitary formedplastic, said side wall having a portion defining a plug mounting memberopening and said top wall having a portion defining a tapper plugmounting member opening, a filler plug mounting member mounted in theside wall opening by said side wall portion, and a tapper plug mountingmember mounted in said top wall opening by said top wall portion inadhered relationship to the top wall portion, the top wall and adjacentpart of the side wall having a first radius of curvature and the bottomwall and adjacent part of the side wall being curved about a secondradius of curvature, the first radius of curvature emanating from apoint spaced from and vertically above the point from which the secondradius of curvature emanates, the spacing of said points being less thanthe length of each of the first radius and the second radius.
 3. Thecontainer of claim 2 further characterized in that said side wall has aportion between said adjacent parts of the side wall that has anexterior surface, the horizontal dimension from a point verticallybetween the points of the first and second radii of curvature and theexterior surface being slightly greater than the dimension of each ofthe first and second radii of curvature and the dimension from saidpoint between said points to the exterior surface adjacent the junctureof the portion between the adjacent parts with the side wall partadjacent the bottom being slightly greater than the horizontaldimension.
 4. A container for beer comprising a keg having integrallyjoined top, bottom and side walls defining a keg chamber, said wallsbeing made of unitary formed plastic, said side wall having a portiondefining a plug mounting member opening and said top wall having aportion defining a tapper plug mounting member opening, a filler plugmounting member mounted in the side wall opening by said side wallportion, and a tapper plug mounting member mounted in said top wallopening in adhered relationship to the top wall portion, the top wallincluding a portion which defines the top opening having a first boreportion of a given diameter that opens through the keg outer surface, asecond bore portion of a substantially smaller diameter than said givendiameter that opens to the first bore portion remote from the keg outersurface, a third bore portion opening to the second bore portion remotefrom the first bore portion and having radial extending recesses of agreater radius than the radius of the second bore portion, and a fourthbore portion opening to the third bore portion and to the interior ofthe third bore and to the interior of the keg that is of a smallerdiameter than the third bore portion, and the tapper plug mountingmember including a first flange portion of a substantially smallerdiameter than the first bore portion, an annular second flange portionintegrally joined to the first flange portion, and an annular thirdflange portion joined to the inner end of the second flange portion toextend away therefrom in a direction away from the first flange portionthat is of a larger diameter than the second flange portion and isprovided with circumferentially spaced cutouts, said third flangeportion extending into the third bore portion recesses.
 5. The containerof claim 4 further characterized in that the third flange portion has aninner, annular radial surface remote from the second flange portion andthat the top wall portion has an annular portion abutting against saidinner, annular radial surface.
 6. A container for beer comprising a keghaving integrally joined top, bottom and side walls defining a kegchamber, said walls being made of unitary formed plastic, one of saidwalls having a portion defining a plug mounting member opening and aplug mounting member mounted in said wall opening in adheredrelationship to said wall portion, the portion which defines the openinghaving a first bore portion of a given diameter that opens through thekeg outer surface, a second bore portion of a substantially smallerdiameter than said given diameter that opens to the fiRst bore portionremote from the keg outer surface, a third bore portion opening to thesecond bore portion remote from the first bore portion and having radialextending recesses of a greater radius than the radius of the secondbore portion, and a fourth bore portion opening to the third boreportion and to the interior of the third bore and to the interior of thekey that is of a smaller diameter than the third bore portion, and theplug mounting member including a first flange portion, an annular secondflange portion integrally joined to the first flange portion, and insealing fitting relationship to the second bore portion, and an annularthird flange portion joined to the inner end of the second flangeportion to extend away therefrom in a direction away from the firstflange portion that is of a larger diameter than the second flangeportion and is provided with circumferentially spaced cutouts, saidthird flange portion extending into the third bore portion recesses andhaving an inner, annular radial surface remote from the second flangeportion, and said wall portion having a portion abutting against saidinner, annular radial surface.